Maximum Yield USA 2011 May | Page 14

LETTERS TO the editor California Dreamin’ Eye on Colorado Retailers Thanks for the great information on options for greenhouse frames in the February issue. Personally I prefer wood frames for my greenhouses—I have three in varying sizes. I love the west coast look of wood and I’ve found them to be fairly weather resistant with the proper treatment. Plus they can be set up for the greenhouse gardener on a budget. I love spending time reading and relaxing in my south-facing unit when the sun is warm; I built-in a six foot, single planked redwood bench for just that purpose. Thanks again for the article. Maybe I’ll try adding a fourth greenhouse in one of the styles suggested. I used to get your magazine from Midwest Gardening Supplies in Minneapolis. Since moving to Fort Collins, Colorado. I would love to continue reading your magazine. Which stores offer Maximum Yield? The Grow Shop or Way To Grow are the two stores where I would love to see this magazine available for the customers. I hope to see the next issue in the stores here in Fort Collins. Aaron Gardner Oceanside, California Your local grow shop Way to Grow does carry Maximum Yield. Other shops in the area that carry our magazine are: Alpenglow Garden Supply, Bath Nursery and Garden Center and Indoor Paradise Hydroponics. Simply flip to the back of Maximum Yield for addresses and contact information for these stores. If your local grow shop is not carrying Maximum Yield for their customers, simply have them call us to become a distributor. Yellow and Mellow In the December 2010 issue of Maximum Yield USA, I was happy to see Matt LeBannister’s article on dealing with yellowing leaves. Yellow leaves are a recurring problem in my crops. I was wondering if a nitrogen deficiency could be the problem in yellowing bamboo stalks as well. In an older online article from Therese Cressman (“Growing Guide: Lucky Bamboo, July 2010”) she says yellowing leaves are a sign of too much light or too much fertilizer. She recommends removing the yellow leaves right away. I did but my bamboo continued to suffer. Any suggestions to help my bamboo are much appreciated. Karl Talbot Trichoderma Schmichoderma What is the effect of Trichoderma fungi on weeds? I also want to know how to spell the names of these weeds. Sara Qadomi If the leaves on the lower part of the plant are the ones that are yellowing it is likely to be a nitrogen deficiency. With bamboo it could be caused by fluctuating pH levels. Using pH drops to check the water before it is replaced might do the trick. Bamboo is often grown in containers that cannot be drained. I would recommend replacing the growing container and medium to rid the root-zone of built up nutrients that cannot be flushed. Hope this helps. Trichoderma fungi are known to infect and live in a symbiotic relationship with many types of plants, including crop plants and weed species. Trichoderma are most famous for their dual benefits to crops: solubilizing soil nutrients for the plant and producing enzymes to attack soil pathogens. However, Trichoderma is also known to produce some substances toxic to weed hosts. Nodeweed (Synedrella nodiflora) and Alligatorweed (Alternanthera philoxeroides) are known to naturally harbor Trichoderma fungi, and the weed Hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata) is known to be susceptible to Trichoderma toxins, specifically oxalic acid. Isolating biopesticide materials from Trichoderma fungi is a relatively new field of study. Maximum Yield Contributor: Matt LeBannister Maximum Yield Contributor: Donald Lester Ruth Alston We want to hear from you! Write us at: Maximum Yield Publications Inc. 2339 Delinea Place, Nanaimo, BC V9T 5L9 or e-mail us at: [email protected] 12 Maximum Yield USA | May 2011